PLAINS COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5486, 11 October 1929, Page 4

PLAINS COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

ROUTINE BUSINESS.

The Hauraki Plains County met at Ngatea yesterday, Cr. C. W. Harris presiding over Crs. W. Madgwick, J. Motion, W. E. Hale, C. W. Parfitt, W., McDuff, J. A. Reid, A. S. Fisher F. J. Mayn. the clerk (Mr E. A. Mahoney), and the engineer (Mr F. Basham). Kerepeehi River Road.

A deputation comprising Messrs J. ,W. McLarin, G. H. Robinson, H. F. Louch, and A. Price, owners of land between the Ngatea-Kerepeehi road and the Piako River, waited upon the council and urged the opening of a ..stock route along the Piako River stop-bank from Ngatea to Kerepeehi. The settlers were prepared to give the land and to fence it. They held all the land except that belonging to the Natives at Kerepeehi, and the reserve along the river at the Ngatea end which was a Government reserve. The culverts were wide enough for use as bridges, and very little work was necessary to make a stock route. If the council was prepared to open the road the deputation was prepared to approach the Native landowners and secure their consent to donating the land for a road through their property. The Natives would be expected to fence their property.

Cr. Madgwick was of opinion that the Hauraki United Drainage Board should be consulted, as it controlled the stop-bank. Mr McLarin expressed the view that the stop-bank would be improved by being used as a road. He thought the council should negotiate with the drainage board. The chairman assured the deputation that the matter would be considered, and the settlers then withdrew. Cr. McDuff advocated granting the request. He pointed out that stock could travel on the river bank, as the bank was half a chain back from the river.

Cr. Reid raised the question of who would pay for the damage to the stopbank. There was no doubt that damage would occur if stock was driven along the road in winter. It was decided to obtain the views of the Drainage Board on the matter. Metalling Kerepeehi Township.

Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., forwarded a lettei - from the Hon. G. W. Forbes which stated that if definite steps were taken by the ratepayers of the Kerepeehi township to form a special rating area for a loan to metal the township roads a subsidy of £2 for £1 on the cost, £1426, would be placed on the Estimates. A total of 921 chains was involved, which included Kaikahu Road (43 chains), Rimu Street (19), Matai Street (111), Miro Street (111), and Rata Street (71). Cr. Fisher moved, and Cr. Madgwick seconded, that the clerk be instructed to advertise the formalities in connection with a loan poll. Hopai West Road. Four settlers of Hopai West Road advised that they had completed the removal of the fence to the new alignment, as verbally promised. They therefore suggested that the formation and metalling of the road be proceeded with. Cr. Motion said that the fence had not been completed. Cr. Parfitt moved that the Lands Department be asked to metal the road on completion of the legalisation. The Gluepot Deviation. The land drainage engineer estimated the cost of making a deviation on the Patetonga-Kaihere road at'the Gluepot Bend at £950 more than the cost of improving the existing road. The road would be shortened by 121 chains, but in his opinion the high cost was not warranted. Mangatarata Roads. The chairman reported that the settlers of the Mangatarata district had agreed to be rated for a metalling

scheme for the roads of their district. Together with the county engineer and clerk he had attended a meeting of settlers, and the decision had been a unanimous one, though the rate would be 31d. He moved that the clerk take steps to take a poll of ratepayers. In reply to Cr. Madgwick the chairman said that this would provide a through road along the hills. Miranda Road. The chairman asked the engineer when the shelling of the Miranda road would be commenced. The engineer' replied that work would be started after Christmas. Cr. Motion expressed the opinion that it would be a mistake to lay shell on the road. It would be better to do less length in metal. The engineer agreed, and said that six inches of shell would quickly disappear. Metal would be subsidised at £2 for £l, but sheM would not be subsidised. Cr. Harris said he had given his word to have £2OO spent this summer, and if the council did not agree to shell he would have it spent on metal. Cr. Hale moved that the chairman and engineer go into the matter and report to the next meeting. There was no urgency for the matter, as work could not start until after Christmas. Abattoir. Cr. Mayn asked what progress had been made by the Meat Company in connection with the abattoir. The clerk reported that an application had been made to the Agricultural Department, and its inspector had visited Ngatea, but so far the permission had not been received. The following resolution was received from the Waitakaruru-Pipiroa Ratepayers’ Association : “The association strongly protests against the action of the Hauraki Plains County Council in ignoring the requisition from the ratepayers in regard to the abattoir area after inviting their opinion.” Piako River Wharves. The chief drainage engineer, Auckland, acknowledged receipt of the council’s decision with reference to the Piako River wharves, and advised that he would visit Ngatea as soon as possible to confer with the council’s committee. Representation on Power Board. The Thames Valley Electric Power Board forwarded a long statement showing the sales of electricity in each of the constituent districts, together with the populations, valuations, receipts, etc. The board advised that the matter of representation was being considered, and the result would be communicated when finality was reached. The clerk stated that a copy of the statement would be supplied to each councillor. Terms of Loans. The Waitemata County Council invited the council’s support of a protest to the Minister of Finance and the Local Government Loans Board concerning the short period fixed by the Local Government Loans Board for loans for metalling roads and building bridges. No resolution was moved. Maukoro Quarry. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, informed the council that he was submitting its offer- to pay £4 per acre for compensation for the site for the Maukoro quarry to the Lands Department, and would inform it of the result in due course. Mahuta Bridge. Notification was received from the Public Works Department that the sum of £433 at the rate of £2 for £1 was being made available for the renewal of the Mahuta Road bridge under the Bridge Renewals Fund. Lease of House. Two applications were received for particulars concerning the tenure of the council’s dwellinghouse at Ngatea recently occupied by the county inspector. In view of the council’s intention to consider in two months’ time the appointment of another inspector, it was decided to offer to let the house for that period.